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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
36
Features
20
Overall
29

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Canon SX170 IS versus Samsung PL120, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Canon and Samsung. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was released 2 years later than the PL120 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SX170 IS grades against the PL120 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Samsung PL120

 SX170 IS PL120 
IntroducedAugust 2013January 2011More recent by 32 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Canon SX170 IS

 PL120 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Samsung PL120

 SX170 IS PL120 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has physical measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Samsung PL120 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Samsung PL120 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS and the PL120.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and PL120 is 88 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The photograph below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and PL120.

All in all, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX170 IS to offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
43
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Samsung PL120
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (251g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
49
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
Samsung PL120 Sports photography info
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
26
good resolution (14 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than average (251g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
33
very good maximum aperture (f)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
Samsung PL120 Vlogging advice
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than average (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
31
very good maximum aperture (f)
has mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Samsung PL120
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSamsung PL120
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Samsung PL120
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2013-08-22 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) ()
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lb) -
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots 1 -
Cost at launch $0 $150